U.S. patent number 6,068,438 [Application Number 08/904,564] was granted by the patent office on 2000-05-30 for cargo-container crane and system.
Invention is credited to Leonard D. Barry.
United States Patent |
6,068,438 |
Barry |
May 30, 2000 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Cargo-container crane and system
Abstract
This is a top lift rotary-crane transfer device and system
especially suited for transferring cargo containers between a
railway car and one or more conveyors or other vehicles or storage
spots. It has a revolving loadspreader on the end of a revolving
crane connected by chain and sprockets or gearing to cancel to hold
the loadspreader in parallel positions while translating around a
supporting column. Improved alignment columns on the loadspreader
are carried above the ground and swing up to clear over containers
set on a conveyor. The alignment columns align the loadspreader
transversely over a container, well car, flat-bed trailer, or along
a conveyor. The alignment of the loadspreader can be turned if
desired to engage one end first and help clear an adjacent car. The
loadspreader can be suspended on swinging links and be swung back
from a vehicle to increase clearance over adjacent vehicles or
loads; or the loader can have its positioning arm retractable to
increase this clearance and extensible to position the loadspreader
over a vehicle.
Inventors: |
Barry; Leonard D. (Detroit,
MI) |
Family
ID: |
27361875 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/904,564 |
Filed: |
August 4, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/392; 414/344;
414/399; 414/744.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66C
1/101 (20130101); B66C 13/08 (20130101); B66C
23/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B66C
13/04 (20060101); B66C 23/00 (20060101); B66C
13/08 (20060101); B66C 1/10 (20060101); B65G
067/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;414/344,391,392,399,917,744.2,744.3 ;901/21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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800032 |
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Aug 1950 |
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DE |
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2555676 |
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Jun 1977 |
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DE |
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3542190 |
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Jun 1987 |
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DE |
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1-240289 |
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Sep 1989 |
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JP |
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1-257589 |
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Oct 1989 |
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JP |
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2-69981 |
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Mar 1990 |
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JP |
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1253942 |
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Feb 1996 |
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SU |
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Primary Examiner: Bucci; David A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citowski, P.C.
Parent Case Text
This application claims Priority of Provisional Applications Ser.
No. 60/022,422, dated Aug. 05, 1996 and Ser. No. 60/044,935, dated
Apr. 25, 1997.
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A container jib crane and system having a pivot post held
vertical, at least one jib crane having a jib crane arm mounted to
radially revolve around said post at a fixed height, a loadspreader
and support means therefore mounted to revolve horizontally about
the end of said arm and move up and down thereon, mechanical
connecting means for rotating said support means on said arm in
step with the rotation of said arm to keep said loadspreader
parallelly positioned in one direction as the arm is revolved,
means for lifting and lowering the support means to lift and lower
said loadspreader to transfer loads in parallel positions, and
means for supporting said loadspreader to move laterally radially
to said pivot post to align a vehicle when engaged therewith over a
distance of travel past the pivot post.
2. A system as in claim 1, said load engaging and support means
including a loadspreader, and means for extending and retracting
said, loadspreader radially relative to said pivot to align a
vehicle over a distance of travel past the loader.
3. A system as in claim 1, said load engaging and support means
including a central vertical shaft mounted to rotate on its
vertical axis on said jib crane arm, said means for rotating said
loadspreader and support means being a chain and a first sprocket
fixed concentric on said pivot post and a second sprocket of equal
pitch and diameter as said first sprocket in line supported to
rotate on said locating arm and through which said central vertical
shaft is central and free to slide up and down, and means for
keying said second sprocket to turn said support means, said chain
connecting said sprockets to maintain an alignment of said
loadspreader and support means as it is moved up and down and about
said pivot post.
4. A system as in claim 3, said means for keying being a ball
spline on said&lift shaft and a ball spline collar thereover
secured to rotate on said locating arm and to which said second
sprocket is fixed.
5. A system as in claim 1, said means for rotating said
loadspreader and support means being shafting and beveled gears
connected by said shafting to rotate said loadspreader equally in
the opposite direction from said arm.
6. A system as in claim 1, said means for lifting and lowering 2
including a vertical lift shaft mounted to slide up and down on the
outer end of the jib crane arm, a lift arm pivotally mounted over
the jib crane arm to swing up and down out over said lift shaft,
mechanical means linking said lift arm and said lift shaft together
to lift and lower the loadspreader therewith.
7. A system as in claim 1, said jib crane arm comprising a right
and a left side arm each pivoted on said pivot post, the first
pivot, and each having two lengths, two pivots being a pivot pin
joining these two lengths as at an elbow on each side arm and both
sides joined about said support means including a lift shaft as a
fourth pivot; four equal sprockets horizontally aligned, one on
each of the four pivots, a chain joining said sprockets in all
positions so said arm can extend and retract said loadspreader and
support means relative to said pivot post while maintaining
orientation in one direction.
8. A system as in claim 1, said jib crane arm comprising two
lengths, a vertical elbow pin connecting said lengths together,
said means for lifting and lowering including a lift shaft, two
equal sprockets and chain connecting said pivot post and said elbow
pin, and two other equal sprockets and chain connecting to turn
with the said sprocket on said elbow pin and said lift shaft to
rotate together so said locating arm can be extended and retracted
relative to said pivot post while holding said load engaging and
support means in a preselected direction.
9. A system as in claim 7, except gearing and shafting replacing
the sprockets and chain, a bevel gear on each said pivot and a
second bevel gear meshing therewith shafting connecting adjacent
second bevel gears.
10. A system as in claim 8, except gears and shafts replacing the
sprockets and chains, a bevel gear on each said pivot and a second
bevel gear meshing therewith shafting connecting adjacent second
bevel gears.
11. In a system as in claim 1, said loadspreader having alignment
columns, two spaced apart along one side for aligning a cargo
container on a well
car and two spaced on the opposite side for aligning a cargo
container on a semitrailer, said alignment columns being operable
to swing up and down on each side together.
12. In a system as in claim 1, said loadspreader having two
alignment columns along one side of the loadspreader, each said
column having a stepped engaging end with an upper forward step to
engage a cargo container or semitrailer and a lower back step to
engage a well car, and means for raising and lowering the columns
relative to the loadspreader to align the loadspreader for transfer
of a container on either a semitrailer or well car.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
This invention further relates to my pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/436,722, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,092 and to
my U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,261 issued Jun. 15, 1993 and to lesser
extent to other of my patents on rotary loaders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a top lift rotary transfer device and system for
transferring such things as cargo containers between rail cars and
semitrailers, conveyors,, or storage spots. This invention includes
improvements to the space requirements and clearances and to the
loadspreader alignment particularly to interface with conveyors and
in part generally applicable to my pending patent application Ser.
No. 08/436,722.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object to provide a top lifting rotary device for transfer
of cargo containers parallelly In rapid succession between railway
cars on a track and side-by-side on a conveyor run at 90 degrees to
the track, rather than the bottom lift devices of my U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,124,129; 4,519,737; 4,746,257; 4,946,328; and 4,981,410; etc. and
so that existing rail cars can be used with this device.
It is an object to hold the loadspreader parallel and retractable
radially as it is moved around a pivot post.
It is an object to modify and simplify the alignment columns and
operation of my pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/436,722
to accomodate transfer between railway cars and conveyors and
semitrailers.
It is an object to provide alignment columns that can be kept above
the ground when the crane is moved around.
These other and further objects and features should become evident
to those skilled in the art by study of this specification with
reference to the drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transfer loader having three cranes
which rotate about a pivot column transferring cargo containers
from rail cars to one or two conveyors or vice-versa.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the loader shown in FIG. 1 with one
of the cranes transferring a cargo container to the conveyor on the
left.
FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the preferred mount of the cranes
about the base of the pivot post.
FIG. 4 is a schematic section on line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a partial section on line 5--5 of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively plan and side elevations of a
variation of the loader having a cam track lift.
FIG. 8 is a wrap-out of the cam track.
FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a lifting column on a loader
with the vertical guide shown in section to larger scale.
FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view of the arm of the loader taken on
line 10--10 of FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are side elevations of a loader showing a crane
transferring respectively a top and bottom container between a well
car and a conveyor.
FIGS. 13 and 14 are side elevations of a well car with a
loadspreader of a crane engaging respectively the top and bottom
container on the car.
FIGS. 15 and 16 are partial sectional side elevations of an
alignment column engaging respectively two containers and a well
car.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the loadspreader with optional
swivel supports.
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a double air cylinder for lifting an
alignment column 45.degree. or 90.degree. up.
FIGS. 19 and 20 are plan and side elevations of a loadspreader
engaging a container on a semitrailer.
FIG. 21 is a sectional elevation on line 21--21 of FIG. 20 through
the loadspreader over the container on the trailer showing an
alignment arm aligning the container with the trailer to larger
scale.
FIG. 22 is a view of the engaging side of the alignment arm of FIG.
21 to larger scale laying down.
FIGS. 23 and 24 are broken views taken on lines 23--23 and 24--24
of FIGS. 21 and 20 respectively to larger scale.
FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view of the area covered by the loader
and the possible positions for transfer or storage of cargo
containers thereon.
FIGS. 26 and 27 are respectively side and end elevations of another
alignment column on a loadspreader holding a container at approach
height over the well car.
FIGS. 28 and 29 are partial plan and end elevation of the
loadspreader showing the same alignment column when the container
is lowered into the well.
FIG. 30 is a partial end elevation of the loadspreader setting a
second container on the well car.
FIG. 31 is a section on line 31--31 of FIG. 30.
FIG. 32 is a partial end elevation of the loadspreader engaging a
container on a track trailer.
FIG. 33 is a plan view of a variation of the loader with two cranes
having retractable and extendible positioning arms transferring
cargo containers to or from vehicles.
FIG. 34 is a front view of FIG. 33 showing the loader about to
engage a container on a semitrailer.
FIG. 35 is a section on line 35--35 of FIG. 34.
FIG. 36 is a section on line 36--36 of FIG. 35.
FIG. 37 is a view taken between lines 37 of FIG. 34.
FIG. 38 is an end projection of FIG. 37.
FIG. 39 is a side elevation of the loader of FIG. 33 positioning a
container over a container on a well car.
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a loader crane with one extendible
positioning arm.
FIG. 41 is a side elevation of a variation of the crane of FIG. 1
with beveled gears and shaft replacing the sprockets and chain for
alignment of the loadspreader.
FIG. 42 is a bottom view of FIG. 41.
FIG. 43 is a plan view of a variation of the crane of FIG. 33 with
beveled gears and shafts replacing the sprockets and chain and only
one positioning arm.
FIG. 44 is a side view of FIG. 43.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 where
a rotary loader 18 is positioned to transfer cargo containers 20
between vehicles or railway cars 22 on a driveway and/or track 24
and one or more conveyors 26. The cars can be moved by a car mover
or locomotive to the approximate position shown.
The loader has one or more cranes 28 mounted on a pivot post 30 on
top of a vertical column 32. Three jib cranes are shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 each having a radial guide arm 34 integral with offset
bracket 36 to stack on pivot post 30, a vertical lift shaft 38
mounted to slide or roll up and down on the outer end of the jib
crane guide arm, a load spreader 40 supported horizontally from the
bottom of the lift shaft, a lift arm 42 pivotally mounted on pin 44
to the guide arm and extending out radially over and connected by
cable or links 46 to the top of the lift shaft, and a hydraulic
cylinder 48 connected between the lift arm and the guide arm to
lift and lower loadspreader 40.
Referring to FIG. 3, the weight of each of the three cranes on
pivot 30 can be stacked but is preferably separately carried
directly on column 32 by flanged bushings 50 and 51 carrying the
weight of the middle and upper cranes respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, end 4, each crane has a large sprocket 52
mounted to rotate on the bottom of arm 34 concentric with shaft 38
therethrough and a sprocket 52' of the same number of teeth and
pitch as sprocket 52 secured in line concentric on column 32. A
chain 56 is connected around the sprockets for each crane to rotate
sprocket 52 once each revolution of the guide arm about the pivot
post. Arm 34 is revolved about column 32 by gearmotor 58 secured to
the guide arm and driving spur gear 60 engaging a gear rack ring 62
secured concentric with pivot post 30 about the top of column 32.
Referring to FIG. 5, sprocket 52 is supported by collar 64 screwed
on the bottom of a depending neck 65 about which the sprocket
rotates on arm 34 and in which neck the lift shaft slides up and
down.
As the crane is rotated about the pivot post the loadspreader is
held in parallel positions to translate by a connection with
sprocket 52. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, for a short lift crane
this connection can be rod 66 secured depending from sprocket 52
down to slip through a hole 67 in a platform frame 68 suspending
the loadspreader on two swinging parallel links 70 at each end
mounted to swing the loadspreader transversely level. Links 70 have
ball joints 71 top and bottom, FIG. 9. A double acting cylinder 72
is connected between the links and either frame 68 or the
loadspreader to retract the loadspreader back to clear over
adjacent vehicles etc.
Rod 66 slips in hole 67 in frame 68 as the crane lifts and lowers
the loadspreader. As the crane is rotated about pivot 30 the
loadspreader it carries is translated by rod 66 without turning
except as links 70 permit limited turning or modification made for
sidecoupling a vehicle. Referring to FIG. 17, optionally the bottom
of the two links 70 for each end of the loadspreader can be
connected to a transverse swivel bar 73 pivotally connected at
center to the top of the loadspreader to increase the turning of
the loadspreader to align a vehicle within more arc of turning of
the crane.
PARALLEL SIDE ALIGNMENT
Each loadspreader 40, in addition to having the usual alignment
guides and twist locks for locking in the corner castings on the
top of the containers, has alignment columns 74 mounted to swing up
along the near side of the loadspreader to clear over containers on
conveyor 26. The alignment columns 74 are each pivotally secured on
a pin 76 extending at right angles from the near side of the
loadspreader. Each column 74 is lifted by an air cylinder 78
pivotally connected between a bracket 77 on top of the loadspreader
and a lever arm integral on top of the column 74.
The alignment columns 74 are pivoted to swing up 45.degree. as in
FIGS. 2 and 14 to engage containers set across the conveyor and
have stepped engaging ends as in FIGS. 11 and 12 with an upper
forward step, roller 80, and a lower back step, roller 81, to
engage roller 80 against a container and roller 81 against the side
of well car 22, FIG. 12.
Referring to FIG. 18, each cylinder 78 is two cylinders in one
housing with a central separating wall 82. The piston rod 84 on the
left enters a piston rod sleeve 85 through a sealed hole in wall
82. The extension of each piston rod in cylinder 78 lowers the
column 45.degree., both 90.degree.. The alignment columns are
lifted 90.degree. up parallel to the loadspreader to clear over
containers on the conveyor. The alignment columns 74 are lowered
45.degree., as shown in FIG. 2, by exhausting one end of cylinders
78 to engage between containers spaced on the conveyor to align the
end container on the conveyor for transfer.
OPERATION
The cranes 28 translate their loadspreaders retracted from over
adjacent cars on track 24 and extend links 70 to engage their
alignment columns against the near side of the car when
substantially aligned lengthwise to align the loadspreader
transversely with the car for transfer of a cargo container when
aligned lengthwise as observed by an operator controlling motor 58,
cylinders 72, and cylinder 48 to stop and lower the loadspreader to
set a container on or engage a container on the car for lifting
off. The container is lifted up and loadspreader retracted to clear
an adjacent car before the crane is rotated about 45.degree.
therefrom to carry the container over the conveyor to where it is
lowered thereto. Cylinders 72 are normally exhausted slowly so the
loadspreader can lightly engage against the side of a vehicle
before links 70 are vertical.
Conveyor 26 preferably has two runs of planks each supported on
large rollers connected between two runs of roller chain to support
each end of the container. Alignment columns 74 are lifted above
the bottom of the container on the loadspreader as it approaches
the conveyor, FIG. 2 left side, until the container is set down.
Then they are lifted to clear the containers on the conveyor when
returning to waiting position for the next transfer as in FIG. 2
right side.
VARIATIONS
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the crane lift cylinder 48 can be replaced
with a cam track 86 fixed about column 32 and a lift cam wheel 87
or rod 88 pivoted on pin 89 to lift and lower the crane lift arm 42
on rises and dips around the cam track as shown schematically
unwrapped in FIG. 8. A bracket 90 on arm 34 with ball sleeve 91
therein through which rod 88 runs guides the rod and holds it in
place in line to arm 34. Cars 22 would have side coupling pockets
for the alignment columns to enter so the car can move the crane
with the loadspreader aligned through the transfer dip in cam track
86 as in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,261, FIGS. 10 and 11.
Referring to FIGS. 9-10 for the preferred construction of the guide
arm 34 and lift shaft suspension for the loadspreader where the
crane can have greater travel vertically as for double stacking
containers etc. The outer end of arm 34 carries an inner ball or
disc race cylinder 92 mounted on ball races 93 to revolve in an
outer cylinder or sleeve 96 integral on the end of arm 34. Sprocket
52 is bolted to the bottom of the inner race cylinder 92. The lift
shaft 38 has vertical keyways 98 extending between its top and
bottom supports and spaced and sized for the balls or discs in
races 99 in the inner cylinder to key to the lifting shaft to roll
up and down in. Lift shaft 38 has a top cap 100 secured thereon
resting, on a thrust bearing 102 on top of a trunion ring 104
suspended by links 46 and pin 106 through the end of the lifting
arm of the crane so shaft 38 can be rotated by sprocket 52. Frame
68 is now fixed to the bottom of shaft 38 to be positioned by
sprocket 52. This eliminates rod 66 which would have limited
vertical movement in hole 67 in frame 68 before bumping a container
when lifted. The crane is now improved to handle double stacked
containers on rail cars as shown in FIGS. 11-13.
ALIGNMENT COLUMN VARIATIONS
Instead of the alignment columns having a step with rollers 80 and
81, the lower ends of the alignment columns can have engaging
members 110 to contact the side of both a container and a well car
to align the
loadspreader transversely for transfers. There are shown herein
improvements over my pending patent application for this.
Referring to FIGS. 13-16, the alignment end of the alignment
columns 74, FIG. 13, have an air bag 110 which when inflated as in
FIG. 15 extends out to engage the side of two containers 20 or a
container and trailer bed to align them sidewise as in FIGS. 13 and
15, and which is deflated in FIGS. 14 and 16 to align the
loadspreader transversely with the well car. Cables or chains 112
limit the outward extension of the inflated air bag to about one
foot.
Referring to FIGS. 19-24, the alignment columns can have an
engagement roller 110A, equally applicable in the preceeding
Figures, that is extended outward parallelly as in FIGS. 21 and 24
for aligning container to container or to truck bed 114 or
retracted for the well car. This column has a frame of rectangular
tubing with wall cut away at bottom end for roller 110A (or air
bag) to recess into. Roller 110A is soft rubber covered, suspended
on two arms 118 connected and pivoted on pin 119. An air cylinder
120 is pivotally connected between an arm 118 and column 74 to
retract the roller the travel needed for the well car, about 12
inches, and extend out for the trailer and container alignment.
OPERATING POSSIBILITIES
Referring to FIG. 25, there are many ways this loader can be
operated. There are eight stopping or transfer positions shown
numbered clockwise P1-P8. Tiers of positions are numbered T1-T5.
Tiers T1 and T5 each have an extended position tolerance for
aligning widthways and lengthways on a vehicle such as rail car 22
tier T1 and a semitrailer 114 in tier T5, or on tier T1 after the
rail cars are moved away if the track is in a driveway. Tiers T1
and T5 could both have rail for transfer between single stack and
double stack cars. Tier T3 positions P3 and P7 can be transfer
positions for conveyors, as conveyor 26 could be on either side at
P3 or P7 or at both locations. Tier T4 could be a driveway with
transfer positions at P4 and P6. The operation of one or two
loaders about column 32 could be full circle or back and forth with
one loader or two loaders working opposite half circles ie.
positions P1, P2, P3 and possibly P4 or P5 with one loader and
positions P1, P8, P7 and possibly P6 or P5 with a second loader
crane. The loaders can have alignment columns 74 down on either the
far side or near side to align vehicles in positions P4 and P6.
Positions P2-P8 could be for ground storage of containers.
If desired the loadspreader can be turned for bringing the forward
alignment column 74 forward to line of engagement for a moving
vehicle to catch in its coupling pocket before the rear column is
aligned. For this two idler sprockets or rollers 130 connected by
yoke 132 to engage chain 56 therebetween are shifted by air
cylinder 134 and linkage 136 pivoted, at 138 to arm 34. They are
shifted to the forward side as shown in FIG. 25 at position P2 to
rotate the loadspreader substantially as shown in phantom until the
alignment force on the forward alignment column engaged in the
forward pocket on the next vehicle forces the rollers 130 central
of arm 34 as the loadspreader aligns parallel the vehicle moving to
the left. The car 22 can be stopped ahead of, to the right of,
position P1, (about 10-20 feet) and the loader moved
counterclockwise until the forward alignment column couples in the
forward pocket on the car before the car and loader are moved
together through the transfer run.
MORE VARIATIONS OF THE ALIGNMENT COLUMNS
If the loader does not need to interface with a conveyor the
alignment columns can be as in FIGS. 26-32. This alignment column
74A has a vertical guide 144 secured to the loadspreader 40 in the
same location as and in place of columns 74 two on one side of the
loadspreader. An inner 146 and an outer 148 vertical rod or column
are held spaced apart in each guide 144 to slide up and dun
vertically. Columns 146 and 148 preferably have a rubber covered
roller 80 and 81 respectively at the bottom to roll on respectively
a cargo container 20 and the outer side of a well car 22. Columns
146 and 148 are connected by pin 154 through them at the top fixed
in one column and loose in the other to support the columns on
guide 144. Deflector wings 158 are secured to the inner column 146
with wings extended out to straddle the outer column 148, FIG. 31,
to deflect the columns from the corners of containers etc.
FIGS. 26 and 27 show a container carried at a height to clear the
inner roller 80 over the side of the well car 22 and engage the
outer roller 81 against the side of this car. The loadspreader is
lowered as in FIG. 29 to set the container down in the well while
inner roller 80 supports the outer roller 81 as both columns 146
and 148 are extended out the top of guide 144 as it is lowered. To
lift a container from the well the loadspreader is carried to
position over the car as in FIG. 27 and when vertically aligned it
is lowered to position as shown in FIG. 29. To set a container on
top of one in the well (or on the ground) the loadspreader is moved
at the height shown in FIG. 30 to position over the bottom
container before being lowered to set the container on top of one.
The same height relation between rollers 80 and 81, about 18
inches, enables the cargo container to be set on or lifted from a
semitrailer bed as shown in FIG. 32. Neither roller 80 or 81
touches the ground in any of these operations. If a container is to
be set on or lifted from the ground the loadspreader is carried at
the height, FIG. 32, over the ground until aligned and lowered and
lifted without horizontal movement while roller 81 engages the
ground.
EXTENDIBLE LOCATING ARMS
Cranes with extendible locating arms are preferred where the links
70 and cylinders 72 are not adequate to clear the loadspreader from
adjacent vehicles or to reduce the height of the crane. Similar
parts are given the same number or a suffix added.
Referring to FIGS. 33-39, one or more extendible arm cranes 28E on
pivot post 30 each have two equal but opposite horizontal elbow
arms 34L and 34R pivotally secured to rotate slightly relatively to
each other on pivot post 30 and together around the pivot post each
on an integral offset bracket 36. Arms 34L and 34R are hinged
together at their outer ends on a round sleeve 96' through which a
square load shaft 38SQ runs. Each arm has two lengths connected by
an elbow 160 and together forming a horizontal quadrilateral, kite
shape, or parallelogram linkage. A hydraulic cylinder 162 connects
the lengths of one or each arm to extend and retract the arms to
extend and retract the loadspreader relative to the pivot post. A
central bracket 36C is mounted to revolve on post 30 between arms
34L and 34R supported thereon. Lift arm 42T is pivotally mounted on
pin 44 on the top of bracket 36C and is held lifted by cylinder 48'
pivotally connected between lift arm 42T and bracket 36C. The lift
arm is a track in which a lift trolley 166 runs out and in along
the arm relative to the pivot post. The loadspreader 40 is
supported by square tubular column 38SQ run through a square sleave
96SQ in round sleave 96' in the hinge (as pin) connecting arms 34L
and 34R at their outer ends. A round shouldered pin 168 secured
vertical in the top of square shaft tubing 38SQ turns in a round
hole in trunion collar 104 connecting the side plates 46T to
trolley 166 to support the loadspreader.
Four equal sprockets 52 or 52' are connected by a roller chain 56
to keep the loadspreader in one direction as the crane is rotated
about pivot 30. One sprocket 52' is secured fixed on top of the
pivot column 32 concentric with pivot 30. A sprocket 52 is secured
below each arm 34L and 34R to turn on the pivot pin 170 of each
elbow 172. The fourth sprocket 52 has a central square hole in
which square sleeve 96SQ is tightly fit. Sleeve 96SQ has a top 176
supporting it to rotate on the round sleeve 96' and a bottom collar
178 supports the sprocket. The four sprockets are in a horizontal
plane and connected by roller chain 56 in all positions of the arms
from extended to retracted to hold the loadspreader in parallel
planes as it is moved around the pivot 30 and in and out.
The rod 10 of lift cylinder 48' is forked to pivotally support
monorail arm 42T on the sides so trolley 166 can run above the
forked end of the cylinder'S rod between side rods 182 connected to
the central rod 180 by an upstanding plate member 184. Cylinder 48,
is single acting to liftarm 42T, lifting trolley 166, lifting shaft
38SQ, lifting the loadspreader and its load.
Cylinder 162 connected between the inner and outer length of each
arm 34L and 34R is controlled to extend and retract these arms to
extend the loadspreader over a vehicle when substantially aligning
a container lengthwise therewith, then extended and lowered in
alignment for transfer. After lifting off a container the arms are
retracted to clear any adjacent container or vehicles in the arc
swept by the loadspreader.
This extendible arm design has eliminated frame 68 and links 70 and
reduced the overall height of the crane accordingly.
The loadspreader has swing-up locating columns 74B for engaging a
railway car or containers on one side and locating columns 74C
which also are controlled by a cylinder 78 to swing down to engage
a semitrailer or container on the opposite side when the columns
74B are lifted. Cylinders 78 are controlled to lift and lower
locating columns 74B and 74C independently or oppositely to enable
the loadspreader to engage a container or vehicle from either
side.
SOME VARIATIONS
Opposite hinged locating arms 34L and 34R can balance side forces
on lift shaft 38SQ, but one arm will work with the sprockets
arranged as in FIG. 40 where two sprockets 52 are connected
together to turn as a unit on pin 170 connecting the inner and
outer lengths of arm 34R'. A chain 56 is connected around sprocket
52' fixed concentric about post 30 and on column 32 and the bottom
sprocket on pin 170. Another chain 56 is connected around the upper
sprocket on pin 170 and the sprocket 52 on square sleeve 96SQ slip
fit on square shaft 38SQ to carry the loadspreader through parallel
planes as it is carried around the pivot post.
Refer to FIGS. 41--41 for variations using beveled gearing and
shafting to replace the roller chain and sprockets to turn the
lifting shaft to keep the loadspreader parallel, applicable in
either the fixed length arm or extendible arm cranes.
The fixed length arm crane in FIGS. 41 and 42 has beveled gear 52G'
fixed on column 32 concentric with pivot post 30 and a beveled gear
52G with a square hole secured in place of the sprocket 52 on
square sleeve 96SQ on the square lift shaft 38SQ. The two beveled
gears 52G and 52G' are faced oppositely (up and down) and each
engaged by a small beveled gear 52SG on connecting shafting 56S
supported along the arm and driven by gearmotor 58.
The hinged arm crane in FIGS. 43 and 44 has three large beveled
gears 52G or 52G' one concentric with pivot 30 on column 32, one
concentric on hinge pin 170 connecting the lengths of arm 34L, and
one concentric on spline or square sleeve over and to rotate shaft
38SQ. Two small beveled gears 52SG are connected by shafting 56S
supported under each length of arm 34L to engage the large beveled
gears 52G on that arm length to turn the loadspreader parallelly as
the crane is driven around post 30 by gearmotor 58.
Having thus described some enbodiments and applications of my
invention I do not wish to be limited to those disclosed but intend
to cover this invention by claims to cover all variations,
applications and parts which are within the true spirit and scope
of this invention.
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